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Roald Dahl
Gobblefunk Decoded
Celebrating the birth centenary of one of the best children’s authors by reliving some of his most memorable made-up vocabulary
On September 13, 1916, a man named Roald Dahl was born. This man turned out to be one of the best children’s authors of our times (what a waste of a childhood if you never read him!). Charlie and the Chocolate Factory made us want to get lost in a chocolate land, George’s Marvellous Medicine gave us evil ideas to make that bully you hated drink a deathly potion. And you wouldn’t be surprised if you came across a weird-sounding expression that never existed in the dictionary – Dahl loved cooking words up. As Dahl completes a centenary this year, we tell you what some of his words mean and how to use them on a daily basis. Disclaimer: Use them at your own risk!
TROGGLEHUMPER: One of your worst nightmares. Usage: My trogglehumper would be to see godman MSG in yet another film!
BUNDONGLE: Something that contains only air.
Usage: Your head is emptier than a bundongle (when you’re just simply frustrated with someone).
CRODSQUINKLED: If you are crodsquinkled, you are a hopeless situation. Usage: You are crodsquinkled when it comes to asking out a girl – even Internet Explorer would be faster than you. #TumseNaHoPayega
DISPUNGE: Something you hate or loathe. Usage: What we dispunge on a Sunday – the thought of Monday, what else.
GOLLUP: A big gulp or swallow. Usage: The rate at which your mom makes hot dosas is inversely proportional to the speed at which you gollup them down.
GRINKSLUDGING: A dream that is no fun at all. Usage: I dreamt I was interviewing Hrithik Roshan. Over email. Talk of anticlimaxes and grinksludging dreams, duh!
PLEXICATED: Something that is complicated and difficult to do or make. Usage: Today, I managed to make those plexicated rotis and they turned out round! Perfect shaadi material now. #PappuPassHoGaya
RAZZTWIZZLER: Something wonderfully exciting or enjoyable. Usage: The Coldplay gig is going to be a razztwizzler. Only if we manage to sell a kidney and get those tickets, obviously.
Celebrating the birth centenary of one of the best children’s authors by reliving some of his most memorable made-up vocabulary
On September 13, 1916, a man named Roald Dahl was born. This man turned out to be one of the best children’s authors of our times (what a waste of a childhood if you never read him!). Charlie and the Chocolate Factory made us want to get lost in a chocolate land, George’s Marvellous Medicine gave us evil ideas to make that bully you hated drink a deathly potion. And you wouldn’t be surprised if you came across a weird-sounding expression that never existed in the dictionary – Dahl loved cooking words up. As Dahl completes a centenary this year, we tell you what some of his words mean and how to use them on a daily basis. Disclaimer: Use them at your own risk!
TROGGLEHUMPER: One of your worst nightmares. Usage: My trogglehumper would be to see godman MSG in yet another film!
BUNDONGLE: Something that contains only air.
Usage: Your head is emptier than a bundongle (when you’re just simply frustrated with someone).
CRODSQUINKLED: If you are crodsquinkled, you are a hopeless situation. Usage: You are crodsquinkled when it comes to asking out a girl – even Internet Explorer would be faster than you. #TumseNaHoPayega
DISPUNGE: Something you hate or loathe. Usage: What we dispunge on a Sunday – the thought of Monday, what else.
GOLLUP: A big gulp or swallow. Usage: The rate at which your mom makes hot dosas is inversely proportional to the speed at which you gollup them down.
GRINKSLUDGING: A dream that is no fun at all. Usage: I dreamt I was interviewing Hrithik Roshan. Over email. Talk of anticlimaxes and grinksludging dreams, duh!
PLEXICATED: Something that is complicated and difficult to do or make. Usage: Today, I managed to make those plexicated rotis and they turned out round! Perfect shaadi material now. #PappuPassHoGaya
RAZZTWIZZLER: Something wonderfully exciting or enjoyable. Usage: The Coldplay gig is going to be a razztwizzler. Only if we manage to sell a kidney and get those tickets, obviously.
CASTING TIGRESS, HIDDEN STAR
CASTING TIGRESS, HIDDEN STAR
Shanoo Sharma, the reclusive casting director who has discovered some of Bollywood’s brightest talent, may look like a diva, but is a little girl at heart
“In Ranveer Singh’s case, I had a gut instinct. He is recognised as my work, now. And your work speaks for you.”
BOLLYWOOD’S BEST-KNOWN casting director Shanoo Sharma is telling me a story: “I was in my Maruti Ertiga, heading for a meeting, when I spotted this beautiful girl on the road in suburban Mumbai. She looked like Salma Hayek: lovely, luscious and hot. I was casting for a rock star. And I thought, wow – here she is! I stopped the car, pointed out the girl, and told my assistants, ‘Go!’ They ran after her.”
Everybody looking for a stairway to stardom has heard of Shanoo Sharma. She’s Aditya Chopra’s most important casting director at Yash Raj Films. And YRF, every wannabe actor knows, is one of the most promising entries to the glitzy world of films. But that’s only after they impress Sharma with their personality and talent. She’s reportedly Bollywood’s most imposing gatekeeper.
Sharma continues: “I’ve spotted talent at pubs, malls, college festivals, salons, coffee shops, gyms, in TV commercials and on stage at the theatre. The next big thing could be the girl in the autorickshaw next to me at the signal. Or the guy in the cigarette shop. I don’t like sitting at the office. My job is to be out, online, seeing what is happening.”
I sense an anticlimax. And here it is, straight from the mouth of Bollywood’s most sought-after casting director: “But that girl wasn’t interested. She was a fashion stylist and didn’t want to become an actor. Disappointed, I told her, ‘Okay, but in case you change your mind...’ It happens sometimes. Everybody is not Ranveer Singh, waiting to be discovered.”
STAR CAST
Yes, Sharma discovered Ranveer Singh. She’s also launched Arjun Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Parineeti Chopra, Vaani Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar… the list goes on. And she’s helped Adi Chopra with ensemble casts for big-ticket YRF films such as Sultan, Fan, Ek Tha Tiger, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Mardaani, Gunday and Dhoom 3. Sharma spotted Ranveer at a Mumbai nightspot. YRF wanted a lead opposite Anushka Sharma for its 2010 romantic comedy Band
Baaja Baaraat. Sharma told the studio, “Ranveer’s your man”. YRF’s response was disbelief. “I got so much flak,” she says. “But I was convinced. I wanted to be responsible for Ranveer’s career when he made it big. He auditioned for the role and bagged Band Baaja Baaraat.”
Has Ranveer changed after becoming Bollywood’s next big thing? Without hesitation, Sharma says, “Yes, but only for the better. He calls me in tears to thank me after every award. And I thank him for verifying my instinct. I don’t work with logistics and statistics. I grew up on Peter Pan. I’m into signs and magic. The universe knows what I’m about. In Ranveer’s case, I had a gut instinct. He’s recognised as my work now. And your work speaks for you.”
CASTING A SPELL
We are talking over coffee one rainy evening at her home in Four Bungalows, Andheri. Like Lokhandwala down the road, this is where young Bollywood lives or hangs out. Sharma takes my order for coffee: “Espresso or Cappuccino? What, regular! Black or with milk? How many spoons of sugar?” Just when I think she is going to make the coffee herself, she sends an assistant out to a coffee shop.
She is in pristine white, a flowing kurta and loose pants, and attractively made up with kohled eyes and a large bindi on her forehead. She has on a nose ring, big silver earrings, a swinging necklace and heavy bangles. She jingles and jangles when she moves.
I think she looks imperiously feminine. More like a diva than a casting director. Ranveer was right when he said Shanoo’s a star. She can be at a party full of top Bollywood actors and directors, but Shanoo will be the centre of attraction, she will own the space.
Shanoo Sharma, the reclusive casting director who has discovered some of Bollywood’s brightest talent, may look like a diva, but is a little girl at heart
“In Ranveer Singh’s case, I had a gut instinct. He is recognised as my work, now. And your work speaks for you.”
BOLLYWOOD’S BEST-KNOWN casting director Shanoo Sharma is telling me a story: “I was in my Maruti Ertiga, heading for a meeting, when I spotted this beautiful girl on the road in suburban Mumbai. She looked like Salma Hayek: lovely, luscious and hot. I was casting for a rock star. And I thought, wow – here she is! I stopped the car, pointed out the girl, and told my assistants, ‘Go!’ They ran after her.”
Everybody looking for a stairway to stardom has heard of Shanoo Sharma. She’s Aditya Chopra’s most important casting director at Yash Raj Films. And YRF, every wannabe actor knows, is one of the most promising entries to the glitzy world of films. But that’s only after they impress Sharma with their personality and talent. She’s reportedly Bollywood’s most imposing gatekeeper.
Sharma continues: “I’ve spotted talent at pubs, malls, college festivals, salons, coffee shops, gyms, in TV commercials and on stage at the theatre. The next big thing could be the girl in the autorickshaw next to me at the signal. Or the guy in the cigarette shop. I don’t like sitting at the office. My job is to be out, online, seeing what is happening.”
I sense an anticlimax. And here it is, straight from the mouth of Bollywood’s most sought-after casting director: “But that girl wasn’t interested. She was a fashion stylist and didn’t want to become an actor. Disappointed, I told her, ‘Okay, but in case you change your mind...’ It happens sometimes. Everybody is not Ranveer Singh, waiting to be discovered.”
STAR CAST
Yes, Sharma discovered Ranveer Singh. She’s also launched Arjun Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Parineeti Chopra, Vaani Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar… the list goes on. And she’s helped Adi Chopra with ensemble casts for big-ticket YRF films such as Sultan, Fan, Ek Tha Tiger, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Mardaani, Gunday and Dhoom 3. Sharma spotted Ranveer at a Mumbai nightspot. YRF wanted a lead opposite Anushka Sharma for its 2010 romantic comedy Band
Baaja Baaraat. Sharma told the studio, “Ranveer’s your man”. YRF’s response was disbelief. “I got so much flak,” she says. “But I was convinced. I wanted to be responsible for Ranveer’s career when he made it big. He auditioned for the role and bagged Band Baaja Baaraat.”
Has Ranveer changed after becoming Bollywood’s next big thing? Without hesitation, Sharma says, “Yes, but only for the better. He calls me in tears to thank me after every award. And I thank him for verifying my instinct. I don’t work with logistics and statistics. I grew up on Peter Pan. I’m into signs and magic. The universe knows what I’m about. In Ranveer’s case, I had a gut instinct. He’s recognised as my work now. And your work speaks for you.”
CASTING A SPELL
We are talking over coffee one rainy evening at her home in Four Bungalows, Andheri. Like Lokhandwala down the road, this is where young Bollywood lives or hangs out. Sharma takes my order for coffee: “Espresso or Cappuccino? What, regular! Black or with milk? How many spoons of sugar?” Just when I think she is going to make the coffee herself, she sends an assistant out to a coffee shop.
She is in pristine white, a flowing kurta and loose pants, and attractively made up with kohled eyes and a large bindi on her forehead. She has on a nose ring, big silver earrings, a swinging necklace and heavy bangles. She jingles and jangles when she moves.
I think she looks imperiously feminine. More like a diva than a casting director. Ranveer was right when he said Shanoo’s a star. She can be at a party full of top Bollywood actors and directors, but Shanoo will be the centre of attraction, she will own the space.
Mingus Ah Um
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| Charles Mingus |
Revisiting a genius and a very difficult man
I WAS ZERO when Mingus Ah Um, Charles Mingus’s landmark album, was recorded. Mingus recorded that album in New York over two days in May 1959, on the 5th and 12th (I hit the world four days later; just saying!). I was introduced to jazz late in the day. At home when we were little, my father would play western classical music records and very occasionally a little bit of jazz. I remember the cover of an album he had and liked to play sometimes – Ella and Louis – on which both Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong sang. It was the first time I listened to jazz and to one of the greatest musicians of that genre, Armstrong. It would be much later that I realised what a stellar cast of musicians he had on that album: Buddy Rich on drums, Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar, and the iconic man himself, Louis on the trumpet. Growing up, jazz was an occasional pool that I’d dip into in a musical experience that otherwise consisted of deep and obsessive immersion into rock music. But as the years catch up, I find myself given to reaching out for some of my jazz albums more frequently or, if I don’t have what I want to hear, searching for them to stream or acquire digitally.
MAD BASS NOTES
Many consider Mingus Ah Um to be the double-bassist, composer, bandleader, and genius Charles Mingus’s best album, but that is a difficult choice to make. Mingus’s career spanned more than 30 years till he died in 1979. And the number of records he made as bandleader, sideman or collaborator is huge. I’ve not had the chance to listen to all of them and probably will not be able to, but I’m yet to hear a Mingus album that is not excellent. On Mingus Ah Um, you can hear all of the unique roots that Mingus put into his pot to stir up and brew his brand of jazz – gospel, blues, classical music and more. Whenever I put on the album and the first tune, Better Git It In Your Soul begins with his bass notes I sit up straight and get transfixed. That happened again when I picked out Mingus Ah Um once again last week. For the album, Mingus, who was a difficult and temperamental man to work with, had gathered a star cast: Horace Parlan on piano, Willie Dennis trombone, Shafi Hadi, Booker Evan and John Handy on saxophones, Dannie Richmond on drums, and Jimmy Knepper on trombone.
It wasn’t very much after the release of Mingus Ah Um that Knepper, an accomplished trombonist and a friend of Mingus with whom he’d also co-arranged music, got a taste of Mingus’s legendary violent mood swings. The two were practicing in the bassist’s house when Mingus, in an angry outburst of violence, punched Knepper in the face. This was the second time Knepper got punched by Mingus. The first was once during a performance onstage. This time it was worse.
Embouchure is the French word used to describe the way the facial muscles, lips and the mouth are used by musicians to play wind instruments, such as the trombone Knepper played. That blow from Mingus, a big man, damaged his embouchure and affected the way he could play for a couple of years. Several musicians were victims of Mingus’s rage, sometimes being summarily sacked or publicly rebuked. Yet the man’s sheer genius and creativity probably atones for all of that. On Mingus Ah Um, I particularly like Goodbye Pork Pie Hat, a tribute to Lester Young, a great saxophonist who’d died just before the recording of the album. And also Jelly Roll, which namechecks Jelly Roll Morton, an early jazz pianist.
When I said I picked out Mingus Ah Um again last week I was cheating. In fact, I got a cue from an unlikely quarter: to be precise, from Jehny Beth (whose original French name is Camille Berthomier). Beth is lead singer of London-based noise-rock band Savages (if you haven’t heard them, you must!) and does a show on Beats1 Radio called Making Sense with Jehny Beth. On a recent episode, she surprised me by playing three jazz tunes in succession: Thelonius Monk’s I Surrender, Dear, Mingus’s Tijuana Gift Shop, and a Chet Baker song. That’s how I turned to re-listen, for the umpteenth time, to Mingus Ah Um. Ah, um. How pleasing that can be!
Just a little coincidence about embouchures before I wind down: Chet Baker, jazz trumpeter and singer with a soft and gentle voice (I’m listening to Chet Baker Live in Italy while I write this), had a career-long struggle with drugs and once got beaten up in California after a gig when he was trying to buy drugs. That destroyed his
embouchure so badly that he had to get fixed with dentures to get back to playing. Baker died at 58 in 1988 in Amsterdam where his body was found below his hotel room window. Apparently, it was drug-related. Sad.
Artist Rouble Nagi interview
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| Artist Rouble Nagi |
Rouble Nagi BIRTHDAY July 8
Rouble Nagi HOMETOWN Kashmir
Rouble Nagi LOW POINT OF YOUR LIFE Haven’t seen any as yet
Rouble Nagi SCHOOL/COLLEGE Army School, Slade School of Fine Art London
Rouble Nagi FIRST BREAK A complete artwork project for Ravindra Natya Mandir in Mumbai in 2002
Rouble Nagi CURRENTLY DOING An art show at Rashtrapati Bhavan, some public art projects in Mumbai and art camps for slum kids
Rouble Nagi HIGH POINT OF YOUR LIFE When my son was born
What are your earliest memories of Kashmir, where Rouble Nagi were born?
Being an army officer, my father was stationed in Poonch and other areas in J&K. I remember the place as very peaceful and normal. My mother still makes the best kahwa.
If Rouble Nagi have to pick one medium, which one would that be?
I prefer murals and installations to paintings. I especially like working with metal and stone.
A piece of advice you got from someone that you really treasure.
My father. It was: Sweat in peace to save blood in war. It’s something military people say. It means whether you’re comfortable or struggling, you have to keep working hard.
You travelled a lot when you were young. What was that like?
Because of my father, we would be in a different state or city every two years. I got to see practically all of India by the time I was 18. Travel inspires art, and it shaped who I am.
One thing about being a muralist that not many people know.
It’s very physical. You feel what you create. For instance, stone — like marble — reveals its character as you cut through the layers, and the form changes along the way.
Your name is quite unusual. How did that come about?
In Arabic, Rubil means light. I spell it differently. My father picked the name out of a book he was reading at the time.
If you could invite three people, living or dead, to dinner, who would they be?
Rabindranath Tagore, Pablo Picasso and Oscar Wilde. It would be great to just sit back and see who dominates the dinner-table discussion. The subject would be art of course.
Your favourite period in art history.
Post-impressionism through to abstract expressionism. I believe that Jackson Pollock did for painting what Jimi Hendrix did for the electric guitar.
Three apps that you can’t do without.
Instagram, Pinterest and WhatsApp.
Favourite social media platform.
Twitter. It’s a great tool for common people and celebrities to voice their opinions.
Most challenging project you’ve done.
A seven-ton sculpture, called in Mumbai. It was carved out of a single piece of marble and took me almost four months to complete. Madonna and Child,
Your go-to fitness routine.
I do yoga every morning for an hour, and meditate for 15 minutes.
What cheers you up when you’re feeling low?
Spending time with my fouryear-old son. I love being outdoors with him, whether that’s playing in a garden or at the beach.
Three things we’ll always find in your handbag.
My cellphone, sketch pad and measuring tape.
How do you unwind?
I listen to music or read a book.
How do you define your personal style?
Comfort comes first. My style is an extension of inner beauty, reinforced by a life of discipline.
The last line of your autobiography will read…
The end is always a new beginning.
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